Lose Weight While Sitting at Your Desk

It's easy to pack on pounds if you work behind a computer all day (blame it on the fat bomb combo of barely moving and mindless munching). You could accept the extra lbs., skip lunch to hit the gym, or start using these five sneaky little deflating tricks, all doable while you peck at your keyboard.

As you probably know from all those mid-afternoon vending machine runs you end up going on, it's almost impossible to make it through the afternoon on lunch alone. So pack a healthy, cravings-killing option, two part-skim string cheeses or a low fat yogurt. They're low in calories but loaded with filling protein.

But Keep Treats Hidden

Outta sight, outta your mouth. That's the conclusion of some recent Cornell University research, which found that study subjects ate 70 percent more candy if the sweets were stored in a clear jar vs. an opaque one. So instead of keeping your afternoon nosh out on your desk (where—let's be honest—it probably won't last till 3 pm, leaving you trolling that damn vending machine again), put it away in your filing cabinet or the office fridge.

Squeeze Your Butt With Every Email

Just because you're literally sitting on your ass all day doesn't mean you can't work your glutes. When you hit the send button, contract the muscles in your rear and hold for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. Do this four times. Soon, it'll bec second nature to tense your tush as you fire off messages. And thanks to your email-crazy boss, you'll have a tight bum in a few weeks.

Tone Your Abs Deskside

Adjust your chair so that your hips are an inch or two above your knees. Then lean forward so that your chest is above your hips and clench your shoulder blades, so your chest pushes forward. This simple move engages your core muscles, so you're on your way to building a sixpack.

Do Leg Lifts on the DL

Few bosses are gonna let you take a break so you can do squats or laps around the office. So try this undercover—or rather, under-desk—move: Sit up tall and place both feet flat on the floor. Straighten one leg so it's parallel with the floor, flex that foot, and hold for five seconds. Lower it slowly (taking five seconds to get back to resting position) and repeat with the other leg. A dozen lifts throughout the course of the day is enough to give you tighter, more toned legs.

Sources: The Cornell Food and Brand Lab; Louis Coraggio, personal trainer in New York City and founder of bodyarch.com

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